Two rounds of potential severe weather this week could bring Arkansas its first tornado of the year, the National Weather Service said Tuesday.

John Robinson, warning coordination meteorologist for the weather service in North Little Rock, said there will be a low risk for severe weather chances beginning Wednesday morning.

The chances will then increase over the northwestern half of the state into the afternoon, evening and possibly into early Thursday morning, Robinson said in an email. The storm prediction center has that half of the state under a slight risk for severe storms.

"Large hail and damaging winds will be the severe weather threats but a couple of tornadoes cannot be ruled out," Robinson wrote.

Then on Thursday, the entire state will see its "best chances for severe weather" including the possibility of large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes, Robinson wrote.

"As I have noted previously, we have had no confirmed tornadoes in Arkansas so far this year," Robinson wrote. " I seriously doubt that the count will remain at zero when this week comes to a close."